The Powder Freeway (Half 1 & 2): Written by Courtney Bowen at TravelCuts
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The place and What Is The Powder Freeway?
Often known as Route 95A, in British Columbia, Canada, the Powder Freeway loops between seven ski resorts which can be assured to ship wintery adventures. The loop is famend for nice mountains and an abundance of high quality snow, and can be dwelling to many cat snowboarding and heli-skiing operators. These seven ski resorts embrace Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Panorama, Kimberley, Fernie, Whitewater and Crimson Mountain. There are additionally a number of others which can be well worth the detour you probably have the time and haven’t had sufficient simply but! These embrace Baldy Mountain, Apex and Large White which aren’t removed from Kelowna.
The way to Get There
Anybody eager to drive the entire Powder Freeway, or any a part of it, might contemplate ranging from Calgary in Alberta, Spokane in Washington USA or Kelowna in British Columbia. Renting a automobile and driving is widespread if you’re snug in snow circumstances, alternatively, you may contemplate tour choices, or shuttle providers from airports and cities to the resorts.
What’s So Nice About The Powder Freeway?
One of many big advantages of the Powder Freeway, versus a number of the better-known ski resorts (considering Banff, Whistler and so on), is that every thing is comparatively cheap. There tends to be much less infrastructure however the really feel and amenities of those resorts provide you with a extra genuine, native expertise and are often far much less busy!
The Seven … the Key Particulars You Must Know
Ski Resort: Revelstoke
Positioned 2.5-3 hours east of each Kelowna and Kamloops, Revelstoke ski resort serves up loads of snow (9-14metres / 29-45ft per season) and quick and environment friendly lifts offering entry to the 5,629 vertical ft (1700m) of slopes. The runs at Revelstoke are principally beneath the treeline and are made up of lengthy steep or mellow groomed runs, moguls, glades, and tree snowboarding.
Talent: The extra expert you’re, the extra you are able to do at Revelstoke, nonetheless, there are growing amenities for these with intermediate abilities in addition to households and inexperienced persons, equivalent to cheap children’ elevate tickets and inexperienced persons’ packages. Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Snowboarding is widespread for these with the abilities and price range. You could possibly simply spend per week at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and never get bored.
Lodging: The resort has upscale lodging choices suited to ski in, ski out or there are numerous different choices in downtown Revelstoke suited to all budgets.
Ski Resort: Kicking Horse
Kicking Horse ski resort simply east of Revelstoke, has a better-developed village and has extra alpine and knowledgeable terrain. The snow tends to be much less (6.5m/21ft, however drier) and elevate infrastructure isn’t as environment friendly as Revelstoke.
Talent: In response to Kicking Horse Resort, which provides 1,260m/4,130ft of vertical runs, 45% are black runs and 15% are double black runs, testing essentially the most expert skiers and boarders.
Lodging: The village at Kicking Horse is small however serves the variety of guests pretty nicely with a wide range of lodging choices and eateries. Alternatively, Golden is the closest extra, reasonably priced city, 14km away.
Ski Resort: Panorama
Heading South, Panorama ski resort quietly awaits as a formidable, however much less recognized, ski vacation spot. Positioned 3-3.5hours from Calgary, 2hours from Banff and day tripper from Kicking Horse (all accessible through shuttle), Panorama provides 1,225m/4000ft of vertical runs, all beneath the tree line.
Talent: The Excessive Dream Zone provides double black diamond tree snowboarding and there’s additionally backcountry snowboarding, nonetheless a lot of the resort is suited to the intermediate skier. Snowfall isn’t as excessive as different resorts (5m/16ft), however is dry and retains nicely.
Lodging: There are many lodging choices and facilities and you may’t resist a dip within the Panorama Springs Sizzling Swimming pools. Households specifically love Panorama for facilities and actions, however 20-somethings additionally love the terrain, the parks and pipes and nightlife. Usually, slopes are often much less busy than different resorts, permitting room for everybody. There’s additionally heli-skiing on provide for individuals who are eager.
Up subsequent: Part 2 to learn in regards to the different Ski Resorts, Kimberley, Fernie, Whitewater and Crimson Mountain on The Powder Freeway …
Able to expertise The Powder Freeway? Chat with a travelcuts knowledgeable and begin planning your subsequent journey!
